Powered personal mobility vehicle with rotating wheels

ABSTRACT

An electric powered personal mobility vehicle that includes at least one front wheel and an electric motor that provides rotational force to a wheel of the vehicle. The electric motor is supported by the vehicle and is powered by a rechargeable battery that is also supported by the vehicle. The vehicle can also include swivel caster wheels each configured to rotate about a wheel axis.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/616,103, filed Mar. 27, 2012,entitled “ELECTRIC POWERED PERSONAL MOBILITY VEHICLE WITH CASTERWHEELS,” the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to personal mobilityvehicles and, more specifically, to an electric powered personalmobility vehicle such as a tricycle, with rear swivel caster wheels. p2. Description of the Related Art

Three and four-wheeled vehicles, commonly known as tricycles andgo-karts, respectively, comprise at least one front wheel and a pair ofspaced rear wheels, and many types and styles of these vehicles havebeen developed for use by both children and adults. Riding on tricyclesor go-karts is a popular recreational activity. This is especially truefor younger age children who do not yet have the physical coordinationand skill necessary to ride more advanced recreational vehicles such astwo-wheeled bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or two-wheeledscooters. Adults can also enjoy appropriately sized four andthree-wheeled vehicles configured in the same style as children'stricycles and go-karts, although they may not be referred to astricycles or go-karts, these adult vehicles may have the samefunctionality or characteristics as the children's tricycles andgo-karts.

There have been different types of tricycles devised over the years.Most of these tricycles perform the normal function of moving whenpedaled by the user and turning on a radius determined by manipulationof the handlebars controlling the front wheel. The conventionaltricycles provide useful means of transportation and recreation, but dueto the limited range of motion of the front and rear wheels, theconventional tricycles are limited in the type of movement provided tothe user. There have also not been many variations on the manner inwhich a tricycle is operated by the user. Conventional tricycles requirethe user to exert rotational force on the front wheel, usually by footpedals connected to a single crank attached to the front wheel availableto the user in a seated position. It is an object of one or moreembodiments of the present invention to provide a new and improvedride-on tricycle. It is still another object of one or more embodimentsof the present invention to provide a new and improved tricycleproviding a unique turning action and an alternate range of motioncompared to conventional tricycles.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Preferred embodiments of the tricycle are configured to comprise arechargeable battery or other power source and electric motor configuredto provide power to at least one wheel of the tricycle to providepropulsion. A preferred embodiment is a tricycle including at least onefront wheel, and at least two rear wheels, an interconnecting frame, afront fork connected to the at least one front wheel, handlebars coupledto the front fork to provide steering of the front wheel, and a seat forthe user. The tricycle may also include a battery housing mounted to theframe comprising a controller and at least one battery or other powersource, and an electric motor mounted on the front fork and operablycoupled to the front wheel to provide powered rotational force upon thefront wheel. In another preferred embodiment, the seat for the user ismounted to the frame and positioned in front of the battery housing. Inyet another preferred embodiment, the battery housing is mounted at therear of the frame to increase centrifugal forces by the weight of thebattery housing when the user causes the rear of the tricycle to travelin a substantially different direction than the direction of the frontwheel.

In one embodiment, a personal mobility vehicle comprises a frame, atleast one front wheel, and at least two rear wheels supported by theframe. Each of the at least two rear wheels is a swivel caster wheelconfigured to rotate about a swivel axis. A front fork is rotatablysupported by the frame and the front fork is rotatably supporting the atleast one front wheel. A handlebar is coupled to the front fork and isconfigured to provide steering of the at least one front wheel. Thevehicle further comprises a seat that is supported by the frame andconfigured to support a user. A battery or other battery source issupported by the frame and the battery is operably coupled to acontroller. The vehicle further comprises an electric motor operablycoupled to the battery and configured to receive electric power from thebattery, the electric motor being operably coupled to the at least onefront wheel to provide rotational force to the at least one front wheel.The controller is accessible to a user and configured to allow a user tocontrol the transfer of rotational force to the at least one frontwheel.

In another embodiment, a personal mobility vehicle comprises a framewith a front portion and rear portion. A steering portion is supportedby the front portion of the frame and the steering portion includes ahandlebar. The vehicle also includes a front wheel operably coupled tothe steering portion and the front wheel is rotatable relative to theframe. At least two rear wheels are supported by the rear portion of theframe and a seat is supported by the frame and configured to at leastpartially support a user. The vehicle further comprises a brakemechanism configured to stop or slow the motion of the vehicle byengaging the front wheel, and the brake mechanism comprises a brakeactuator that is accessible to a user. A foot support is supported bythe frame and fixed relative to the frame, and the foot support isaccessible to the foot of a user. The vehicle also includes a powersource is supported by the frame and configured to provide rotationalpower to the front wheel to move the vehicle on a riding surface. Eachof the at least two rear wheels is a swivel caster wheel configured torotate relative to the frame, and each of the at least two rear wheelshas a swivel axis and is configured to rotate about its swivel axis.

In another embodiment, each of the at least two rear wheels are swivelcaster wheels configured to rotate about its swivel axis. In anotherembodiment, each of the at least two rear wheels are swivel casterwheels configured to freely rotate through 360 degrees about its swivelaxis. Also, a biasing mechanism can be operably coupled to each of theat least two rear swivel caster wheels to limit the degree of rotationof each wheel, and to return each rear wheel to its neutral steeringposition once the external swiveling forces have been removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor is mounted on the frontfork and operably coupled to the front wheel, and the power delivered tothe electric motor is controlled by an acceleration pedal. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the power delivered to the electric motor iscontrolled by a hand crank throttle. In one preferred embodiment, theelectric motor delivers power to the front wheel through a chain andsprocket configuration, wherein a sprocket is mounted to the axis of thefront wheel. In another preferred embodiment, the electric motordelivers power to the front wheel through a roller configured to applyfrictional rotational force upon the outer circumference of the frontwheel. In another preferred embodiment, the tricycle comprises a brakingmechanism configured to allow a user to apply braking force to at leastone wheel of the tricycle while simultaneously cutting off power fromthe motor to the driven wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention are described below with reference to illustrations of apreferred embodiment, which is intended to illustrate, but not to limit,the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective front and left side view of an embodiment of anelectric powered tricycle having certain features, aspects, andadvantages of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective front and right side view of the electricpowered tricycle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the electric powered tricycle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the electric powered tricycle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the electric powered tricycle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the electric powered tricycle of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of this disclosure, embodiments of personal mobilityvehicles will be referred to as “tricycles”, but it will be understoodby those with ordinary skill in the art that the present inventionextends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and references totricycles to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventionand modifications and equivalents thereof. In particular, while thepresent systems and methods have been described in the context ofparticularly preferred embodiments as it relates to tricycles, theskilled artisan will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, thatcertain advantages, features and aspects of the systems and methods maybe realized in a variety of other applications, including personalmobility vehicles other than tricycles with at least one steerable frontwheel and at least two rear wheels.

Reference will now be made in detail to the alternative embodiments ofthe present technology. While numerous specific embodiments of thepresent technology will be described in conjunction with the alternativeembodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limitthe present technology to these embodiments. On the contrary, thesedescribed embodiments of the present technology are intended to coveralternatives, modifications and equivalents. Furthermore, in thefollowing detailed description, numerous specific details are set forthin order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology.However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art thatembodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well known methods, procedures, compounds, compositions andmechanisms have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarilyobscure aspects of embodiments of the present technology.

Preferred embodiments of a personal mobility vehicle or tricycle areconfigured to allow a user to activate a throttle assembly which causesan electric motor to power at least one wheel of the personal mobilityvehicle or tricycle. A preferred embodiment involves a tricycle havingat least one rear swivel caster wheels allowing the user to cause therear portion of the tricycle to travel in a substantially differentdirection than the direction of the front wheel. A swivel caster wheeltypically includes a wheel configured to rotate around a rotational axisand a fork supporting the wheel, which enables the wheel to swivelaround a swivel axis. One embodiment may further comprise a foot restportion for the user to place the user's feet away from the front wheeland motor while operating the tricycle. A preferred embodiment maycomprise a braking mechanism configured to apply a braking force to atleast one wheel of the tricycle. The braking mechanism may be configuredsuch that an actuating means is available to one or more of the user'shands or feet while the user is seated. Yet another embodiment comprisesa handlebar and front fork assembly configured to provide a steeringmeans for the front wheel of the tricycle, and further configured tosupport the front wheel and an electric motor driving said front wheel.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention isillustrated showing a tricycle 10 which comprises a frame 12 having afront wheel 11 mounted to a front fork 13; the frame 12 having a frontportion 14 and a rear portion 16; the steerable front wheel 11 isattached to the front fork 13 and also a handlebar assembly 20, both ofwhich are rotatably connected to the front portion 14 of the frame 12.It also includes a foot rest 22, and at least two rear wheels 26, thetwo rear wheels supported by the rear portion 16 of the frame 12. Thefoot rest 22 is supported by the frame 12 at a location accessible tothe foot of a user and is fixed relative to the frame. Although a singlesteerable wheel is shown in FIG. 1, two or more steerable wheels may beincluded, and may be in the form of two front wheels. In a number ofembodiments, the two or more wheels are aligned to enable steering ofthe tricycle. The illustrated front fork 13 and handlebar assembly 20are integrated with one another, however, in other arrangements, thefork 13 and handlebar 20 can be separate components or assembliescoupled to one another. In addition, although illustrated as a separatecomponent, the front fork 13 can be considered as part of the overallframe assembly of the tricycle/vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, an electric motor 30 is mounted to thetricycle 10, such as to the frame 12 or, preferably, to the front fork13 such that the electric motor is rotated about a steering axis withthe front fork 13 when the user acts to turn the front wheel 11.Preferably, the steering axis is inclined with respect to the surfaceupon which the tricycle 10 is supported or ridden. Preferably, thesteering axis is inclined in a rearward direction from a line thatextends perpendicular to the surface upon which the tricycle 10 issupported. The electric motor 30 preferably is mounted above the frontwheel 11 and operably coupled to the front wheel 11 such that electricpowered rotational forces are transferred from the electric motor 30 tothe front wheel 11. In another embodiment, the electric motor issupported adjacent the wheel hub by either the fork 13 or the wheelsaxle or hub. Alternatively, the electric motor 30 can be integrated withthe wheel 11 and can be configured to drive the wheel 13 directly. Inother embodiments, the electric motor 30 can include an endless drivesystem operatively coupled to the front wheel 11, and the endless drivesystem can include a chain or belt that transfers rotational power tothe front wheel 11. In yet other embodiments, the vehicle includes atransmission operatively configured between the electric motor and thewheel 11, and the transmission transfers power from the motor to drivethe axle or hub of the wheel 11. The transmission can be a gearedtransmission and can include a clutch or freewheel that allows the wheel11 to rotate when not being driven by the motor.

A brake mechanism includes a brake lever 40 and a brake 38 (FIG. 4). Thebrake lever 40 is operably mounted on the handlebar assembly 20 and,preferably, accessible to the user while maintaining directional controlof the tricycle. In operation, actuation of the brake lever 40 causes abrake lever cable to be put in tension and moved upwards toward thehandlebar assembly 20, actuating a pair of opposing calipers and causingsaid calipers to apply frictional braking forces on the lateral sides ofthe braking disc 38. In another preferred embodiment, a traditionalbicycle caliper or cantilever brake system may be used to apply africtional braking force on the rim of the front wheel 11. In otherembodiments, a drum style brake could be used. Several variations of thefront braking mechanism may be possible and it will be understood bythose with ordinary skill in the art that this application is intendedto cover any such variations, uses, or adaptations of the discloseddevice. In a preferred embodiment, actuation of the brake lever 40causes a frictional braking force to be applied to the braking disc 38in conjunction with isolating the electric motor 30 from its powersource (e.g., battery 48—FIG. 3) such that power transfer from theelectric motor 30 to the front wheel 11 is lessened or terminated uponactuation of the brake lever 40. Although the illustrated power sourceis a battery 48, other suitable source of power can be used.Accordingly, unless indicated otherwise, the use of the term “battery”in the present disclosure can refer to suitable power sources ingeneral. The brake mechanism is operatively coupled to the battery 48and/or motor 30 in order to lessen or stop power transfer to the frontwheel 11. The actuation of the brake lever 40 can stop the powertransfer from the power source 48 to the motor 30 and/or it can stop thepower transfer from the motor 30 to the front wheel 11. One sucharrangement incorporates a cut-off switch that is actuated along withactuation of the brake lever 40 or other portion of the brake system.Another arrangement could be a clutch between the motor 30 and the frontwheel 11 that actuates when the brake lever 40 or other part of thebrake mechanism is actuated. In other embodiments, the brake lever 40can alternatively be a lever or button that is accessible to the foot ofuser, for example, a lever supported by the foot rest 22.

With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, a driven wheel, gear or sprocket 34is shown mounted to the axle or hub of the front wheel 11 such that arotational force exerted on the driven sprocket 34 forces a turning ofthe front wheel 11. The driven sprocket 34 is operably coupled to adrive shaft (preferably supporting a drive wheel, gear or sprocket) ofthe electric motor 30 by an endless drive loop, such as a drive belt orthe illustrated drive chain 32. In a preferred embodiment, the drivechain 32 is operably coupled to sprocket 34 connected to the axle of thefront wheel 11, said sprocket 34 comprising a one-way clutch mechanism,which is configured to allow the front wheel 11 to rotate at a greaterspeed relative to the sprocket 34 (i.e., an over-speed clutch). Inanother embodiment, the motor 30 in configured to drive the wheel 11 byapplying a rotational force directly to the outer circumferentialportion of the wheel 11 using a roller or other drive mechanism. Anotherembodiment includes a transmission between the motor 30 and the frontwheel 11 that is configured to drive the axle of the front wheel usingthe power generated by the motor 30. For example, a geared transmissionwith a clutch could be used to the drive the front wheel 11. In analternative embodiment, the motor 30 could be located adjacent the axleof the wheel 11 and could be integrated with the wheel such that themotor 30 directly transfers rotational force to the wheel and drives thewheel.

Opposite the drive sprocket 34 on the front wheel 11, a braking disc 38is mounted on the axle of the front wheel 11 such that applying brakingforces to the braking disc 38 causes the front wheel 11 to slow inrotation. Some conventional tricycles comprise foot pedals coupled tothe front wheel to allow the user to propel the tricycle forward.However, embodiments of the present tricycle include an alternativeplacement of the user's feet while seated and operating the tricycle. Apreferred embodiment further comprises a foot rest portion 22 configuredto allow the user to rest his/her feet away from the moving components,including the front wheel 11, driven sprocket 34, drive chain 32, andbraking disc 38. The foot rest portion 22 may be fixedly coupled to theframe 12 or to the front fork 13. A configuration with the foot restportion 22 attached to the frame 12 allows the user to place the user'sfeet on the foot rest portion 22 and rotate the front fork 13 to turnthe front wheel 11 without the positioning of the user's feet beingrotated along with the front fork. In some conventional tricycles, theuser would rest the user's feet on the foot pedals coupled to the frontwheel, possibly resulting in uncomfortable twisting of the user's bodyand legs when turning the front fork and front wheel. However, in someembodiments of the tricycle, foot rest portions could also be supportedby the front wheel 11 or the fork 13.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of the tricycle 10.The frame 12 of the tricycle 10 may also support a seat 28 for the userconnected to the frame 12. The seat 28 may be configured to allow theuser to sit comfortably in a position such that the handlebar assembly20 and foot rest 22 are within comfortable range of the user's hands andfeet. In one arrangement, portions of the foot rest 22 upon which auser's feet rest are located behind a rearward-most point on the frontwheel 11. The foot rest 22 can be in the form of an upside-down T-barthat extends from the front portion 14 of the frame 12. The frontportion 14 of the frame 12 can extend upwardly from the forward end ofthe seat 28 to the front fork 20. In some arrangements, the seat 28 maybe adjustable in fore-aft and/or height directions. In a preferredembodiment, the battery 48 and battery housing may be mounted behind theseat 28. The battery 48 may be supported by the rear portion of theframe 16 such that it is inaccessible to the user while the user isseated. This generally allows for a visually pleasing configuration ofthe tricycle 10 as the battery, battery housing, and any wires connectedto the battery may be concealed from the user by the seat. In addition,mounting the battery 48 and battery housing behind the seat may also addadditional weight to the rear of the tricycle. This may be advantageousin operation of the tricycle when the rear of the tricycle is movingsideways in a substantially different direction than the front wheel 11of the tricycle. The battery mounted at the rear of the tricycle, inaddition to the user seated in the seat mounted toward the rear of thetricycle 10 may create an unbalanced weight distribution favored towardthe rear of the tricycle 10 thereby increasing the centrifugal forcewhen the rear of the tricycle is directed in a substantially differentdirection than the front wheel of the tricycle. The battery housing (ora separate cowling or enclosure) can completely or substantiallycompletely enclose the battery. The housing can be separate from theseat 28 or could partially (e.g., the backrest) or fully incorporate theseat 28.

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of a preferred embodiment of the tricycle 10showing the front fork 13, a front wheel 11 mounted on said front fork13, a handlebar assembly 20, and an electric motor 30 supported by thefront fork 13. In a preferred embodiment, a controller or throttleassembly 36 is operably mounted on the handlebar assembly 20 andpositioned to allow the user to actuate the throttle while maintainingdirectional control of the tricycle. The throttle assembly 36 isoperably connected to the motor 30 and battery 48 to generate therotational force upon the driven sprocket 34 upon the user activatingthe throttle. The controller or throttle assembly 36 may be configuredto be a twistable throttle, or the throttle assembly may comprise alever or button, or other suitable user control arrangements. In otherembodiments, the controller or throttle assembly 36 is accessible to thefoot of the user and can be arranged as a throttle pedal or leveraccessible to the user. For example, the throttle actuator can besupported adjacent to the foot rest 22 and can be actuated by the footof a user.

A preferred embodiment of the tricycle 10 further comprises a brakelever 40 mounted to at least one handlebar handgrip to allow the user toactuate the braking assembly to apply frictional braking forces upon thebraking disc 38. In a preferred embodiment, the braking disc 38 or otherbraking mechanism is concentrically mounted to the axle of the frontwheel 11. In yet another preferred embodiment, a driven sprocket 34 ismounted concentrically on the axle of the front wheel 11 and oppositethe braking disc 38, said driven sprocket 34 operably coupled to theelectric motor 30 by a drive chain 32. In another preferred embodiment,the electric motor 30 is operably coupled to a powered roller, whichtransfers rotational force to the front wheel by applying frictionalrotational force upon the outer circumference of the front wheel 11.Alternatively in this embodiment, the powered roller may transferrotational force to the front wheel by applying frictional rotationalforce upon the outer circumference of a driven hub, which isconcentrically mounted to the front axle of the front wheel. In apreferred embodiment, the front wheel 11 comprises a treaded tirecomposed of a durable material such as rubber for contacting the groundand converting the rotational force from the electric motor 30 intolocomotion of the tricycle 10. Other suitable drive arrangements canalso be used. For example, the motor could be integrated into the hub ofthe front wheel and provide direct drive of the front wheel.

A preferred embodiment includes a steering mechanism that comprises afront fork 13 configured to support the front wheel 11 and handlebarassembly 20. In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor 30 issupported by the front fork 13 enabling said electric motor 30 to beoperably coupled to a driven sprocket 34 mounted on the axle of thefront wheel 11. When the user turns the handlebar assembly 20 to steerthe front wheel 11, the front fork 13 is rotated about its steeringaxis, resulting in rotation of the front fork 13, electric motor 30,driven sprocket 34, and front wheel 11 in unison. This configurationavoids tangling cables or drive chains between the front wheel 11 andhandlebar assembly 20 and electric motor 30 and provides a reliabledesign that is cost-effect to manufacture. In a preferred embodiment,the front fork 13 is defined by two vertical supports 20 a, 20 b, saidvertical supports 20 a, 20 b interconnected by at least one supportmember, and preferably a pair of support members 20 c, 20 d positionedabove and below a head tube portion of the frame 12. Such aconfiguration of said vertical supports 20 a, 20 b provides a voidtherebetween, where said void is configured to support the electricmotor therein. This configuration allows for the electric motor 30 to bemounted in between the vertical supports 20 a, 20 b of the front fork20, providing protection for the electric motor 30 and associatedcomponents such as the drive chain 32 and driven sprocket 34 from damagedue to collision with objects or other vehicles. The motor 30 may alsobe located between the at least one support member 20 c or 20 d thatinterconnects the vertical supports 20 a, 20 b and the front wheel 11.Alternatively, the motor 30 can be between the lowermost support member20 d and the front wheel 11. Such an arrangement can allow the motor tooccupy a space between the front wheel 11 and the frame 12 of thetricycle to provide further protection to the motor. In addition, aportion of the front fork 20 (e.g., the lowermost support member 20 d)can also serve as a mount for the motor, which reduces the number ofcomponents of the tricycle. Preferably, the vertical supports 20 a, 20 bbend outwardly at their upper ends to define handgrip portions of thehandlebar assembly 20, thereby providing an efficient arrangement from amanufacturing perspective. A housing, shroud or other enclosure can beprovided to partially or completely enclose the motor 30, drive chain 32and driven sprocket 34.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment from a rear perspective. Thepreferred embodiment as depicted shows a battery 48 mounted to the rearportion of the frame 16. Power is provided to the electric motor 30 by asource of power, such as a battery 48 and, preferably, a battery housingthat contains at least one battery and a controller. The at least onebattery 48 is typically rechargeable and employs a recharging systemthat is configured to draw power from a conventional single phase poweroutlet or other commonly available source of power. In a preferredembodiment, the battery housing provides a switch for powering theelectric motor 30 on or off, as well as a charger port connection forrecharging the at least one battery 48. In another preferred embodiment,the seat 28 may be configured to comprise a battery housing on the rearof the seat back such that the battery 48 is mounted to the seat 28. Forstability, the seat 28 is typically fixed to the frame as low to theground as possible. In a preferred embodiment, the power stored by theat least one battery 48 is channeled to the electric motor 30, which maybe mounted on the front fork 13 of the front wheel 11. In oneembodiment, a controller or control mechanism is coupled to the battery48 and/or motor 30 and is configured to control the transfer of powerfrom the battery 48 to the motor 30. Also, the controller mechanism cancontrol the transfer of power from the motor 30 to the front wheel. Forexample, the controller is accessible to the user and upon actuation itactuates and switch or a variable switch that allows power transfer fromthe battery 48 to the motor 30. The brake mechanism can also be coupledto the motor 30 and/or battery 48 such that it can stop power transferwhen the brake is actuated. For example, when a user actuates the brakeor brake lever 40, a switch or cut-off switch can cause the powertransfer from the battery to the motor 30 to lessen or stop.

In another preferred embodiment, the rear portion of the frame and thefront portion of the frame comprise hollow tube chassis, and the wireselectrically coupling the at least one battery 48 to the electric motor30 may be positioned partially, substantially completely or completelywithin said hollow tube chassis. For example, the wires may run internalto the frame from at or near the location of the battery 48 to theforward end of the frame and may exit from the forward end of the frame.

A preferred embodiment further comprises two rear swivel caster wheels26 supported by the frame 12 which may be dynamically engaged to induceand control drift during a turn. A caster wheel can include a wheelconfigured to rotate around a rotational axis and a fork supporting thewheel, which enables the swivel caster wheel to swivel around a swivelaxis. However, other types of caster wheels are supported with a supportonly on one side supporting the axle. It is contemplated that varioustypes of other axially rotating wheels and caster wheels could be usedin these embodiments. In a preferred embodiment, the rear swivel casterwheels are allowed to rotate without rotational limitation or biasingforce, and in yet another preferred embodiment, the rear swivel casterwheels are prevented from full 360 degree rotation by a limiting stop.In another preferred embodiment, the rear swivel caster wheel assembliescomprise a biasing member causing the rear swivel caster wheels to bebiased to a neutral steering position and causing the swivel casterwheel assembly to return to its neutral steering position the externalswiveling forces have been removed or reduced below a threshold force.An additional embodiment combines the biasing arrangement and therotational limits.

FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment from a top-down perspective. Thisembodiment comprises a rear portion of the frame 16 connected to a frontportion 14 of the frame 12, said rear portion 16 of the frame 12supporting the two rear swivel caster wheels 26. The rear portion 16 ofthe frame 12 may be configured to extend substantially outwardly fromthe front portion 14 of the frame 12, said rear portion 16 having afirst and second distal end, said first distal end supporting the onerear swivel caster wheel 26, and said second distal end supporting onerear swivel caster wheel 26. This configuration provides stability forthe user while operating the tricycle, allowing the user to spin thetricycle and exert sideways forces upon the rear end such that the rearend of the tricycle travels in a substantially different direction thanthe general direction of the front wheel 11. This allows for increasedenjoyment and a wide variety of trick maneuvers to be performed by theuser. In other embodiments, the vehicle includes more than two rearcaster wheels that are supported by the rear portion 14 of the frame 12.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. In particular, while the present systems and methods have beendescribed in the context of particularly preferred embodiments, theskilled artisan will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, thatcertain advantages, features and aspects of the systems and methods maybe realized in a variety of other applications, many of which have beennoted above. Additionally, it is contemplated that various aspects andfeatures of the invention described can be practiced separately,combined together, or substituted for one another, and that a variety ofcombination and subcombinations of the features and aspects can be madeand still fall within the scope of the invention. In particular, anembodiment includes the combination of features described above withrespect to the individual photographs in a single tricycle.

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal mobility vehicle, comprising: a frame;at least one front wheel that is steerable about an inclined steeringaxis; at least two rear wheels supported by the frame, each of the atleast two rear wheels being a swivel caster wheel configured to rotateabout a swivel axis; a front fork rotatably supported by the frame, thefront fork rotatably supporting the at least one front wheel; ahandlebar coupled to the front fork and configured to provide steeringof the at least one front wheel; a seat supported by the frame andconfigured to support a user; a battery supported by the frame, thebattery being operably coupled to a controller; and an electric motoroperably coupled to the battery and configured to receive electric powerfrom the battery, the electric motor being operably coupled to the atleast one front wheel to provide rotational force to the at least onefront wheel; wherein the controller is accessible to a user andconfigured to allow a user to control the transfer of rotational forceto the at least one front wheel.
 2. The personal mobility vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein the seat is mounted to the frame and positioned lowerthan the handlebar and in front of the battery.
 3. The personal mobilityvehicle of claim 1, wherein the battery is supported by the frame at alocation behind the seat and at least a portion of the battery extendsbehind the at least two rear wheels.
 4. The personal mobility vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein each of the at least two rear wheels is configured tofreely rotate 360 degrees about its swivel axis.
 5. The personalmobility vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two rearwheels includes a biasing mechanism configured to limit the degree ofrotation of each rear wheel, and to bias each rear wheel toward aneutral steering position.
 6. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 1,wherein the controller comprises an acceleration pedal or a handthrottle.
 7. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the atleast one front wheel includes a sprocket and the electric motortransfers power to the front wheel through an endless drive loop.
 8. Thepersonal mobility vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a brakingmechanism configured to apply braking force to at least one wheel of thepersonal mobility vehicle while simultaneously reducing power from themotor to the at least one front wheel.
 9. The personal mobility vehicleof claim 1, wherein the front fork comprises a pair of vertical supportsand the electric motor is positioned between the pair of verticalsupports.
 10. A personal mobility vehicle comprising: a frame having afront portion and a rear portion; a steering portion supported by thefront portion of the frame, the steering portion comprising a forkconfigured to rotatably support the front wheel, wherein the forkcomprises two vertical supports and the motor is supported by the forkbetween the two vertical supports, the steering portion including ahandlebar defined by the upper ends of the two vertical supports; afront wheel operably coupled to the steering portion, the front wheelbeing rotatable relative to the frame; at least two rear wheelssupported by the rear portion of the frame, a seat supported by theframe and configured to at least partially support a user; a brakemechanism configured to stop or slow the motion of the vehicle byengaging the front wheel, the brake mechanism comprising a brakeactuator that is accessible to a user; a foot support supported by theframe and fixed relative to the frame, the foot support being accessibleto the foot of a user; a power source supported by the frame andconfigured to provide rotational power to the front wheel to move thevehicle on a riding surface; wherein each of the at least two rearwheels is a swivel caster wheel configured to rotate relative to theframe; each of the at least two rear wheels having a swivel axis andeach being configured to rotate about its swivel axis.
 11. The personalmobility vehicle of claim 10, wherein the seat is mounted to the frameand positioned in front of the power source.
 12. The personal mobilityvehicle of claim 10, further comprising a motor operably coupled to thefront wheel and configured to transfer rotational power to the frontwheel, the motor being configured to receive power from the powersource.
 13. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 12, furthercomprising a controller configured to control the transfer of rotationalpower to the front wheel.
 14. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 13,wherein the brake mechanism is configured to stop or decrease the powertransferred to the front wheel when the brake actuator is actuated by auser.
 15. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 14, wherein thesteering portion further comprises a fork that rotatably supports thefront wheel and is coupled to the handlebars, wherein the motor andbrake mechanism are supported by the steering portion, and wherein thesteering portion, front wheel, braking mechanism and motor are allrotatable about a steering axis.
 16. The personal mobility vehicle ofclaim 15, wherein the steering portion further comprises a forkconfigured to rotatably support the front wheel, wherein the forkcomprises two vertical supports and the motor is supported by the forkbetween the two vertical supports.
 17. The personal mobility vehicle ofclaim 16, wherein the swivel axis of the at least two rear wheels isinclined relative to the riding surface.
 18. The personal mobilityvehicle of claim 17, wherein the power source is supported by the rearportion of the frame at a location behind the at least two rear wheelsand behind the seat.